Student struggling in the last class

I am in the last class, 180-225, and I am struggling. I have stuggled the entire time in school, and this is just the worst. I haven't passed a test in 8 months, despite practicing.  Mentally, I feel like I can do this, but my fingers just don't respond. When I am going for higher speed, my fingers get confused trying to write the current word and the next word, so I end up with garbage. I am so discouraged, and really, really depressed. Please talk me down.

CR,

I empathize with your plight.  Although it's many years since I was in school, I remember the stress of passing the last test.  I don't remember the length of time that had passed from when I passed the previous test, but I'm sure it was considerable.

I went to school right before the CAT software came in, so my theory was different from you're learning now.  I had to be able to read back, so I stroked out everything and still do for some things.  As a result, my writing was messy for the computer but wonderful for read back.

How I finally got out of school was by quitting my part-time job and sitting in court everyday after school.  It was brutual.  I was exhausted.  I realized back then that not only did I need to pass a test that was five minutes in length, I needed the stamina to be able to sit all day and write.  My speed, accuracy and endurance increased over the next few weeks after sitting in court, and I did pass my last test.  I was only 19 at the time and still living at home with my parents.  I realize not everyone has this luxury.

If there's any way you can sit in court, I strongly encourage you to do so.  Also, Mark Kislingbury's Magnum Steno Club is a great place to get encouragement as well as lightening fast speed drills.  His mantra is: Get a stroke for everything.  I agree.  A lot of it will be garbage, it will be frustrating, but it teaches your fingers to MOVE and not get stuck on stroking everything correct every time.  Of course you need accuracy, but you have to get out of your comfort zone and push, then drop back down in speed for control and accuracy.

I hope this helps and I'm rooting for you! :D

Yes, this helps a lot! It's not the I haven't heard this before, it's that I need to hear it again and again. As it is, I plan on interning in the courts next week because we have a school break, so I will push myself and do what I know to do. I KNOW I can do this, my fingers just haven't realized it yet! Thank you for understanding and your words of encouragement. It helps to know that I am not alone in my feelings.

Hey!

I am a court reporting student too, and this is the first time I have seen anyone post about the struggles of getting through court reporting school.  It is nice to know that I am not the only one feeling this way!  But listen, YOU ARE going to get through this.   There is a 98% dropout rate for this program, and you are so close to being done.  I am at the same speed as you, and believe me, I have gone through a lot of mental struggles.  There was a point I would cry every day because I was so frustrated.  I took a quarter off from school and that helped me tremendously. 

Your fingers will eventually catch up with you.  People outside of this program don't understand that your fingers and brain have to work at the same speed, and it takes a lot of time to get the two to work together.  In the most recent JCR, Mark Kislingbury wrote an article about having a brief for everything.  I didn't really think it would work for me because sometimes I have to write everything out.  Lately I have been trying this and I will admit, I can start to see a difference in my confidence and ability to write.  My writing isn't clean, but I am able to read my notes.  I still drop words and I still haven't passed a test, but the confidence boost has been wonderful. 

I just want you to know that you are not alone.  Others are feeling the same way.  I have been in the program for six years, and it is depressing to me.   I just want to be out in the field working.  You WILL get through this.  We will get through this.  =)

Hi CR,

I apologize for my delayed response.  Please feel free to contact me through my email of drscoping@gmail.com so I can provide you with some specific feedback to aid your learning process. 

I have trained many court reporting students who have continued with their schooling or have dropped out of their schooling.  Both sets of students have been amazed at how comprehensive our training has been.

It's simply another option for you. 

Thanks,

Devon Roberts
www.joyfulscoping.com
drscoping@gmail.com

Yes, at your speed, I agree, change your focus and get out in the realworld and see if you can shadow people, whether it be in court, freelance or CART.  You'll be pushing yourself beyond 5 minutes and seeing the real world applicability of everything.  At minimum, you'll see how exciting the job can be and give you that boost of drive.  It's a great way to not only improve your skills but to keep yourself motivated.